Protective cover



@Zi ll PTUlD July 13, 1954 5. F085 PROTECTIVE COVER Filed Feb. 19, 1951 INVENTOR.

a ir blasts may be greatly lessened (provided they are i gQ/vnot too close to the center of the explosion) by Patented July 13, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROTECTIVE COVER Bjorn Foss, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application February 19, 1951, Serial No. 211,789

2 Claims. (Cl. 22)

This invention relates to a protective cover. The fearful results of the use of atomic bombs are now well-known. Observations after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki blasts indicate quite clearly that injury to human beings by such appropriate simple protective measures.

For example, severity of burns depended upon direct exposure to the rays of the bomb. A person'who wore a cap was found to be quite badly burned on the face and neck, and the area covered by the cap was uninjured. Even a flimsy white cloth covering served as a Substantial protection against the radiations.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a protective covering of this character that is inexpensive to manufacture, and that may be easily carried on a person.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, sincethe scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 are pictorial views illustrating the manner in which the cover may be opened and used:

Fig. 3 is a pictorial view showing the cover completely folded Figs. 4 and 5 are pictorial views, respectively, from the front and the back of the device;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken alonga plane corresponding to line 6-6 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a view showing the covering member in partially folded position.

The covering member i preferably made of white cloth, such as cotton or muslin, capable of at least partially reflecting the rays caused by an atomic bomb explosion. It comprises, generally. a front portion l and a back portion 2 of generall rectangular configuration. Corresponding top and bottom edges of the portions I and 2 are connected together. These portions are joined together at the sides by the integrally formed pleats or folds 3 that make it possible to expand the cover member.

In order to gain access to the interior of the cover member, the front portion l is provided with a slit [5 having the overlapping edges 4 and 5. These edges are appropriately reinforced, as by folded cloth at these points. The slit runs longitudinally of the fold portion I, and is arranged substantially centrally thereof.

Conveniently, the entire structure may be made from a single piece of material.

When it is desired to use the cover in the event of an emergency, the overlapping edges This form will now be described 4 and 5 are spread apart, as indicated in Fig. 1, and the person steps inside of the cover. The person wearing the cover may then draw the edges 4 and 5 together, and may lie prone with the face covered by the arm (Fig. 2).

In Order to permit convenient carrying of the device, a tie strap 6 is provided. This tie strap has free ends that may be tied in a how I, as indicated in Fig. 3.

In order to make it possible to fold the device in a compact manner, a portion [2 of the tie strap 6 is joined, as by sewing, to the back portion 2, and extends transversely for one-half of the distance across the member 2, to a place substantially central of the back portion. It is also located one-fourth of the distance below the upper edge of the device.

The lines of fold are indicated by the dotted lines 8, 9, I0, and H of Fig. 5. In order to fold the device, it is first folded longitudinally along the line 8, as indicated in Fig. 7. Then it is folded along the horizontal line If], this fold being upward. It is then folded once again along the line 9 over the attached portion l2 of the tie strap 6. In this position, the tiestrap 6 underlies the back portion I, and the folded article is supported in the manner shown in Fig. 3,

The inventor claims:

1. In a device of the character described: juxtaposed cloth front and back members of generally rectangular configuration, the lateral edges of said members being inwardly folded throughout the entire length of said lateral edges, said folded portions being normally juxtaposed to form an expansible pleat at each of the lateral sides of said members respectively; said members be- 2. In a device of the character described: juxtaposed cloth front and back members of generally rectangular configuration, the lateral edges of said members being inwardly folded throughout the entire length of said lateral edges, the folded portions being normally juxtaposed to form an expansible pleat at each of the lateral sides of said members respectively, said members being connected at their top and bottom edges; said members forming a complete enclosure; the front member having a slit parallel to said pleats and substantially centrally of the said front member, said slit forming the only entrance to said enclosure; the edge of the said front member on one side of the slit overlying the edge of said front member on the other side of said slit for the entire length of said slit; and a tie strap for securing said members in folded position, said strap having a portion of its length secured on one of said members at a place thereon onefourth the length of said one member from the top edges, and extending parallel to said top edge from adjacent one of said lateral edges to the center of the member, said strap having free ends adjoining opposite ends of said secured portion and together with said secured portion adapted to encompass said members when folded both longitudinally and transversely.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 26,663 French Jan. 3, 1860 1.859,820 Eaker May 24, 1932 2,060,092 Lucas Nov. 10, 1936 2,139,579 Dier Dec. 6, 1938 2,344,010 Walsh Mar. 14. 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 493,267 Great Britain Oct. 5, 1938 

